Electric controller.



E. A. SPU'RR.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FlLED JUNE 5, 1914.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

E. A. SPUBR.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1914.

1,27 5,780. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETSS HEET 2- ATTORN EY E. A. SPURR.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION Fl-LED JUNE 5.1914.

1,275,780. Patented Aug. 13,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR ATTORN EY and advantages of my invention will appear STATES PATENT orrron.

EDGAR A. sruaa, or nUc'Lrn, onto, assronoa 'ro 'rnn nnnc'rzuc cor'z'rnonnnn a MANU- FACTURING contrary, or. opnvnnann, 91110, A conronarron or OHIO.

' Emormc conrnonmn.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR A. SPURR, a citizen of the. United States, residin "at Euclid, in the county 0t Cuyaho a and tate of Ohio, have invented new an, useful Improvements in Electric Controllers, of which provide a motor-control apparatus by which a plurality of speed points may be secured by the use of a single actuating magnet.

Another object is to secure automatic variation of the resistance in accordance with the current in the motor circuit, the resistance in' the motor circuit being preferably reduced only when the current in the motor circuitns' below a predetermined value. Qther objects in the course of the following specification, in which I have shown my invention in concrete form for the purposes of illustration.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic re resentation showing one form of my invention. 'Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the operating mechanism of'the controller shownin Fig. 1. Figs. 3 4, and

5 are fragmentary views, illustrating the positions occupied by the movable arts of the controller as the same is advance Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of an other form my invention may assume. .Fig. 7 is an elevation of the controller mechanism shown in Fig. .6. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a third form which my invention may assume. Fig. 9 shows a detail of a portion of the controller shown in As shown in Fig. 1, the controller, which is ofthe usual drum type, is providedwith the stationary contacts 1 adapted to be engaged by the set of movable contacts 2, ar-

ranged on the drum. Associated with the" scribed in Eastwoods Patent,

Specification 01 Letters Patent. Patented A 13 191 Application filed June 5, 1914. Serial K0. 343,168. I

" movable contacts is a segment 3, the notches or teeth of which are adapted to be en aged mally held in engagement with the teeth by the s rings 6. The pawls may be disengage at any tlme by the energization of the pawls 4 and 5. In the form 5 own 1n Figs. 1 and 2, the pawls 4 and 5 are northe winding 7 of the magnet D, by the closure of the switch 8. For operating-the movable contacts, the pawl 4 has associated with it a magnet M having a winding 9 energized by current in the motor circuit. This magnet isconstructed so as to hold its armature 1n its initial position when the current in the winding exceeds a predetermined value,

and operates to move its lunger for operatmg the contacts when t e current has diminished to the predetermined value. This form of magnet-is well known and is de- No. 1,040,292. Associated with the pawls, and insulated therefrom, are the contacts 10 and 11,. These contacts are normally in open osition, as shown inFigs; 1, 2 and 3. when the operating magnet M raises itsplunger and advances the contacts 2, the contacts. 10 and 11 are more widely separated by theaction of the pawl 5 rising on the tooth with which it cotiperates, as indicated in Fig. 4. When the .magnet M. has completed its stroke, moving the. contacts 2 a' full. step, the pawl 5 engages the next tooth and causes the. contacts 10 and 11 to engage one another, as shown in Fig. 5. These contacts establish a circuit through the winding 12' of the magnet M, the windin 12 being arranged when energized to neutra ize the efi'ect oi the winding 9, thereby (permitting the plunger of the magnet M to escend and thpawl 4 to engage a lower tooth. The relative positions of thepawls and contacts 10 and'll then assumo their normal positions, as shown in- 3, the contacts 10 and 11 being open.

The operation of the controller shown in or in its initial position, thereby preventing any movement of the plunger of the sition Vance movement of the pawl f1, the contacts l0 and 11 are more widely separated, as

magnet. When the motor has accelerated sufliciently to cause theinotor current to decrease to the value at which the magnet is adjustedto operate, the winding 9 W111 lift the said plunger, and rotate the segment 3 and the contacts -2 '.eonnected therewith,

causin the contacts-Tito occupy the first poof the controller. During the adabove described, and upon completion. of the stroke the contacts 10 and '11 are brought into; contact with each oth er, as shown in Fig. 5, whereuponthe winding 12 is energized. The winding 12, having neutralized the action of the winding '9, permits the plunger of the magnet M to assume its -11. The first step of the controller shortnormal position, as shown in' Figs. 2 and 3,

whereupon the winding 12 is deenergized because of the opening of the contacts 10 and circuits a'porti'on of the startinglresistance R, thereby increasingthe' current in the motor circuit. If the current in the motor cu cuit eXceeds-theyalue at which the magnet M is adjusted to operate, the winding 9, upon the denergization of the winding 12, continues to hold the plunger of the magnet in the initial position until the-motor has increased its speed and the current is again reduced tothevalue at which themagnet is adjusted to operate. When the current reaches this value, the winding 9 again I raises the plunger and causes the movable contacts to advance to the second position,

net M is shunted by the wires 13 and 14.

It is seen that in the full running position of the controller all of the magnet windings are de'nergized.

When it is desired to stop the motor theoperator momentarily closes the switch 8, whereupon themagnet winding 7 withdraws the pawls 1 and 5 from engagement with the notches of the ratchet segment 3, whereupon the spring 15 returns the controller-to its initial, position, a suitable stop 16 being provided to stop the contacts in the off position.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 the contacts 20 are shown engaging an insulating member'21 when they are in their normal ofi position. When the operating magnet M advances the controller C step by step, the contacts 20 engage the conducting segment 22, and thereby short circuit successive portions'of the resistance R in the well-known manner. The plunger of the magnet M is retracted to normal position by the'spring magnet D is connected to the source of supply upon the closure of the switch S, and thereby holds the pawls-in engagement with the ratchet teet'h during the starting and running periods of the motor. This arrangement provides a no-voltage release forthe controller, so that, in the event of a failure of voltage at the supply, the winding 25 becomes denergized, and the pawls being thereby withdrawn from the notches of the ratchet allow the controller to return to its initial position.,-. i

The winding 24 is controlled by the contacts 26 of the rel ay'K, This relay is provided with an operating winding 27, connected iii-the motor circuit and operates according to the principles of the winding 9 of Fig. lto hold the relay plunger in its initial position when the current in the winding exceeds a predetermined value, an'doperates to close the relay contacts when the current diminishes to' the said value. The winding 28 is, when the switch 29 is closed, energized uponthe closure of the contacts 10 and 11. to neutralize the action of the winding 27, causing the relay plunger to return to its initial position, thereby opening the contacts 26. The op'erators switch 29 is shown in series with the winding 28,'and

may be used to open the circuit and cause the controller C .to-remain in any desired position at the will of the operator,

The operation of the system shown in Fig. .6 is as follows: Upon the closure of the switches S and 29, the windings 25 and 27 are energized," the windin 27 beingin the motor circuit andthe win ing 25 receiving current through its individual circuit 30. The current. inthe motor circuit causes the motor to start in the usual manner, and the winding 27 looks the relay in its initial position until the motor has accelerated and the current diminished to the value at which the relay is adjusted to operate. The winding 'causes the pawls 4 and 5 to engage'the teeth of .the ratchet, asshown in Fig. 7. When thewinding 27 operates the relay K and closes the contacts 26, the winding 24 is energized and causes the pawl 4 to advance the controller C a step.- The contacts 10 and llare first more widely sepa- '50 lock the-magnet plunger in initial position tact, thereby ener 'zin the winding 28, which neutralizes t e e ect of the winding 27. The relay- K then opens its contacts, thereby deenergizing the winding 24. The pawl 1s retracted by;1 the sprin 23 and engages the next toot of the w eelv 3. The movement of the controller causes the sho' circuiting of a portion of the starting resist, tance R, thereby increasing the current in the motor circuit and accelerating the motor in the usual manner. When the current has again diminished, due to .the acceleration of the motor, the operating winding 27 of the relay K again operates the relay and causes the winding 24 to move the controller through another step. This action is repeated until the last step is reached, whereupon the windin 27 of the relay, K is short-cir-.

cuited by t e'conductors 31 and 32, and the relay thereupon remains in its open position. During the notching-up of the controller the operatorean stop the operation at any point by opening the switch 29, thereby removing the neutralizing effect of the winding 28 when the magnetM has completed the stroke. The .notching up of the controller will continue as soon as the switch 29 has been closed.

If it -is desired to sto the motor, the switch S may be opened, w ereu on the current is cutoff from the motor. he magnet D being deenergized, the pawls 4 and 5 are withdrawn from the notches of the ratchet and, the controller is returned to its initial position by the spring 15. i

In Fi 8, the controller O'has associated with it t e operating magnet M and the releasing magnet D'. The releasing magnet D has a winding 40 connected across the source of supply, and, when energized, tends to keep the pawls and 5 in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet se out 3. When the winding 40-is deenergized the spring 41 withdraws the pawls from engagement with the teeth of'the ratchet, allowing the controller to.return to ofi position, thus roviding a no-voltage release? The 0 erat- -1ng magnet M has onlya single win ing 9 connected in series with the motoi' circuit, which is adapted, as before explained, to

when the current through the winding is above a predetermined value, and operates to the said value.

the plunger to advance the controller through a step when the current is reduced The operation of the contacts 10 and 11 depends upon the movements of the plained. In ig. -8, the winding 9 of the magnet M is neutralized by short-circuiting it through the switch 42 and the contacts 10 and 11 when these contacts come together.

Theoperation of the device shown in Fig. 8 is as follows: When the switch S is closed, the winding 40 of the magnet 1.) causes the awls 4and 5, as before expawls to engage the ratchet teeth- Current 1s also established in the motor circuit including the armature A, the field F, the resistance R, and the winding 9 of the operating magnet M. The first rush of ourrent causes the winding 9 to hold its plunger in itsinitial position until the current is reduced due to the speeding up of the motor.

When the currentis reduced to the predeterpawl 4 to drop into the next tooth, thereby separating the contacts 10 and 11, as shown 1n Fig. 3. The winding 9 then becomes energized' with the increased current flowing in the motor circuit due to the cutting out of a section'of resistance, and the magnet plunger remains in its initial position until the current is reduced due .to the'speeding u of the motor. When the current a ain d1- minishes to the predetermined va ue, the magnet M advances the controller another step. This action is' repeated and the resistance is automatically removed from the 'motor circuituntil the motor is connected directly across the source of supply, when it then attains its normal speed. J When the controller makes its last step it is referable to maintain the winding 9 short-circuited so as to prevent undue heating in the coils of the winding. I accomplish this by extending the length of the last tooth of the ratchet wheel, so that, when the magnet plunger re- 7 turns to the initial position after the controller has taken the last step, the pawl 4 remains in its raised position, maintaining the contacts 10 and 11 in engagement. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 9.

To stop the motor the switch S is opened, whereupon-the magnet D is deenergized and the pawls 4 and 5 are disengaged from the rate et segment 3, allowin the controller to return to its initial posltion ready for a restarting'of the motor.

In order to stop the progression of the controller at any oint, at will, I provide a switch 42, by w ich the operator can at any time open the closed circuit which is made around the winding 9 by the contacts 10 and 11. By opening the switch 42 the winding 9 remains in circuit and maintains the controller in the position to-whichit is last moved by the magnet D until the operator again closes the switch 42.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, although I have shown my invention as applied to a non-reversing serieswound motor, it can also be applied to other types of motors, both reversing and "nonreversing, by supplying the usual and well-. known connections for these motors, It will also be understood that automatlc switchescan be added in connection with my invention for opening the motor circuit upon the failure of voltage or when the controller returns to its off position. These features are well known in the art and can be added in any of the well-known ways.

I claim- 1 1. In a motor-control system, a motor, a

circuit therefor, resistances in the circuit, a controller havlng contacts in the circuit and movable step by step to vary at eaclr step the resistance in the c1rcu1t,a magnet,

means moved by the magnet for advancing the controller step. by step only when the current in the motor circuit istbelow a certain value, and means-for neutralizing-the effect of the magnet when the controller has completed a step to permit the first means to be moved to its initial position.

2. In'a motor-control system, a motor, a circuit therefor, reslstances 1n the circuit, a cbntroller, a magnet hav ng its energ zing ,winding in the circuit,-a movable member operable by the magnet forvadvancing the.

the resistance step by step, and means oper-;-' able by the magnet for causing the movable member to be retracted to its initial position without deenergizing the winding when the controllerhas completed a step.

'4. In a controller for electric circuits, a plurality of contacts arranged to be ,op erated progressively, a single magnet wlndmg energized by the current through the'oontacts for operating the contacts step by step,

and contacts operated at the completion of each of certain steps for tem orarily neutraL lzing the operating effect 0 sald winding.

5. In a controller for electric ,circuits, a plurality of stationary contacts, movable contacts cooperating therewith, a ratchet and pawl mechanism formoving the contacts step by step, a magnet energized by current through the contacts for-operating the said mechanism, means for holding the ratchet and pawl mechanism in operating engagement, and means operated when the mechanism has completed a stroke for rendering the magnet inefiectiveto hold the said mechanism in the position to which the circuit to be controlled, resistance in the cirmagnet has operated the same.

- 6. In a motor-control system, a motor, a

' tion. to initiate another step.

I imavao' circu'ittherefor, resistances in the circuit, a plurality of contacts for controlling the resistances, mechanism for moving. thecontacts step by step to cut out the resistance,

a magnet energized by the current in the circuit for operating the mechanism,- and meansoper'ated at the end of each step for rendering the said magnet inefi'ective whereby the said mechanism may return to a posi- 7. In a controller for electric circuits, a movable contact mechanism, a'magnet for advancing the movable mechanism in successive steps, and a circuit closed by the movable mechanism when the controller has com leted a step forrenderingthe'magnet inc ective whereby it may, when again made eflective, advance the said member another step.

8. In a controller for electric circuits, a movable contact member, a toothed device for the said member, a pawl engaging the said device for advancing the contact member step by step, a magnet for operating the said pawl, a second pawl for holding the contact member in stepped position, and contacts'operated by the pawls for neutralizing the action Of'the magnet when a step is completed.

9. In a controller for electric; circuits, a

movable contactmember, a toothed device attached to the said member, apawl for engaging the device to advance the. contact member a step, a magnet for operating the pawl energized by current through the contacts of the said member, a second pawl for,

holding the said member in stepped position,

and contacts controlled by the'pawls for deenergizing the magnet when the magnet has moved the contact member a step.

10. In a ratchet and pawl mechanism for operating electric controllers, a current controller, a toothed device for moving the controller, an operating pawl for engaging av tooth of the device to move it to a'new position, a holding pawl for engaging a tooth of the wheel when it has been moved to its new position, andcontactsoperated b the pawls, the said contacts being normally in open position and arranged to close when the operating pawl has completed its movement and the holding pawl 'has engaged a tooth for holdingthe wheel in position.

11. In a controller for electric circuits, a movable contact member, a v magnet energized by current inthe circuit to be controlled for moving the said member in a step by step manner when the current in the circuit is below a predetermined valueonly, contacts for neutralizing the magnet, and means for closing the contacts when the contact member has been advanced a step.

12.- In a controller for electric circuits, a

cuit, contacts-in the circuit movable step by.

step to vary the amount of resistance in the circuit, an'electro-responsive device having a movable member, a winding for the devlce energized by the current to be controlled for delaying the movement of the niovable member when the current in the winding is above a predetermined value and for permitting its movement when the current is below the predetermined value, and means operated by the movement of the movable member for causing the contacts to be moved step by step.

13., In a motor control system, a motor, a circuit therefor, resistance in the circuit, a controller adapted to be moved step by step to vary the resistance, an electro-responsive device having a movable member for operating the controller, and a Winding for the device energized by the motor current for delaying the movement of the movable member when the current in the winding is above a predetermined value, and for permitting its movement when the current is below the predetermined value.

14. In a controller for electric circuits, a plurality of contacts arranged to be operated progressively, means for operating the contacts step by step, and a single magnet Winding energized by the current through the contacts for delaying the operation of the means when the current in the winding is above a predetermined value, and for permitting its operation when the current falls to the predetermined value.

Signed at Cleveland, Ohio, this 3d day of June A. D. 1914.

EDGAR A. SPURR. Witnesses:

JAMES S. Bnosws, H. M. Drum. 

